If you’re concerned that you can’t afford a stairlift, renting one may be an option. Stairlift prices can be anywhere from around £2,000 for straight models and up to £6,000 for curved ones. If you’re an elderly or disabled person with a limited income, buying a brand new stairlift may be beyond your budget.

Renting a stairlift can be an attractive idea as it allows you to spread the cost into smaller monthly payments. However, there is usually a larger one-off set up charge when you get a rental stairlift installed that you need to take into account.

If you’re considering renting, you’ll need to look carefully at the figures. If you’re likely to need a stairlift indefinitely for the foreseeable future then it may work out cheaper to buy your own. Alternatively, if you only require help with the stairs for a short time, such as while you recover from surgery or illness, then renting may save you money.

How Much Does Renting a Stairlift Cost?

Some of the largest stairlift companies, such as Acorn and Stannah, offer rental stairlifts. There are also plenty of smaller local suppliers around the UK. It is difficult to give an accurate guide price for renting a stairlift as different companies have their own pricing structures.

Some companies charge an upfront installation charge of several hundred pounds and then a smaller fixed monthly fee. Some suppliers may not charge for installation but instead have higher monthly payments.

You will need to check the terms of any rental agreement before you commit so you are clear what you are agreeing to. There may be a minimum period you have to agree to rent the stairlift for. This may be 1-3 months, but terms will vary between suppliers. Some companies don’t have a minimum contract length and you can cancel at any time. You need to see how much notice you’re required to give when you no longer need the stairlift. Another thing to find out is whether there is any charge to remove the stairlift when you no longer need it. Typically most rental companies will remove the stairlift for free.

The main thing that will affect the price is what type of stairs you have. There is less work involved in fitting a stairlift on straight stairs, so straight stairlifts are considerably cheaper than curved ones. If your stairs are curved you’ll need a custom built rail to attach the stairlift to the staircase. For this reason it will be more expensive to rent a curved stairlift.

One way to cut the cost of renting is to choose a reconditioned stairlift. Reconditioned stairlifts are second-hand models that have been used by someone else before. They are fully tested to make sure they are in safe working order and the rental company will be responsible for any repairs.

Whether you opt for a new or reconditioned model the stairlift company will be on hand if your stairlift experiences a fault or breaks down. This gives you the peace of mind that you won’t be left stranded and that there’s a helpline you can call if you need assistance.

Is it Better to Rent or Buy a Stairlift?

If you’re struggling with your stairs getting a stairlift can transform your daily life and enable you to safely move between floors in your home without the fear of falling on the stairs. Whether it will be cheaper for you to rent or buy one is something you will need to carefully consider.

It really depends on your personal circumstances as to whether renting is an economical option. If you think you will only need a stairlift for a short amount of time then renting may be the best choice. Once you no longer need the stairlift you can cancel your contract and the company will come and remove it.

On the other hand, if you will need to use your stairlift over the long term, over several months or years, buying your own stairlift is likely to be a good investment and save you money in the long run. If you are worried about the cost, there are grants available to help disabled people on low incomes make home adaptations, so it is worth looking into this to see if you qualify for financial help.

Get More Information

To help you make a decision about which type of stairlift would be suit your needs and whether it’s cheaper to rent or buy, we recommend you arrange a free home visit from a reputable stairlift supplier. They will be able to speak to you about your personal situation and take a look at your stairs. Using their knowledge and experience they will be able to make suggestions about the best solution for your needs and provide an accurate price. Once you’ve got a fixed quote you will be in a better position to make an informed decision about whether buying or renting is right for you.